Ernie Lindsey - The Two Crosses

The Two Crosses



By Ernie Lindsey


Kindle Edition Available



Product Description (from Amazon) 

Publication Date: March 26, 2012
When Jay Cross heals a paralyzed man just by shaking his hand, and is able to do it again and again, his quiet, cozy little world is on the verge of shattering.  The one thing that would make it all worth it, the one thing that would make him embrace his abilities, won't work, no matter how hard he tries.

At the same time, only a few miles away, David Kreutzer wipes his hand across his wife's forehead and cures her failing eyesight.  He, too, is able to repeat these healing miracles, and in doing so, he sees the bright glow of dollar signs.  Millions of them.

Where did this ability come from?  Why were they chosen?

And who is the mysterious stranger lurking in the shadows, waiting for his chance to destroy them both?


From the Author
The 'last chapter' Epilogue that reviewers refer to below is no longer present in the current version.

The Two Crosses, as a contemporary fiction novel, could fall into a number of categories.  Readers say it's a blend of literary fiction and others say it's Christian suspense, so there's a little bit in there for a variety of tastes.  You be the judge, have fun with it, and happy reading.  You may want to buckle up, because it is not your mama's Christian Fiction and it does have some rough-around-the-edges language.  The characters question their faith in where a supernatural ability like this could come from, but as a whole, the novel is not overwrought or preachy, as one reviewer kindly states below.  If you have questions or comments feel free to get in touch with me over at ErnieLindsey.com.



About the Author (from Amazon)



Biography
Ernie Lindsey grew up in the Appalachian Mountains of southwest Virginia, herding cattle and chopping firewood, and has spent his life telling stories to anyone that will listen, whether its sitting around a campfire or hunched over a keyboard. He currently works as a freelance writer, and is the author of two novels and numerous short stories. Ernie and his wife Sarah live in Bend, OR.



O.Scarlett! REVIEW by Rachel

Sometimes you wonder “what was I thinking?” when you pick up a book and begin to read it.  Then when you finish you are still wondering “why?”   Such was this book.  There were only two or so characters in the book that I actually felt any degree of “like”.  One was a preacher, and the other was an older man that ran a mechanic shop.  Jay Cross and his girlfriend were alright, but still rather shallow.

The story did have its moments, and there are parts that I really enjoyed, but mostly, it was a book that I was glad to see the end of, and it left a sour feeling.  Maybe some will enjoy it, but it just wasn’t for me.

Some labeled this a Christian novel, and since it deals with faith healing, and God, and there is a preacher that quotes scripture, I suppose it is.  But I was never sure if there was a positive message or not, I was left with a feeling that God was a mystery man, you do your best, and hope He lets you into heaven.

Jay shakes hands with an injured and paralyzed football player one day, and the man begins walking.  He hasn’t walked in three decades, and suddenly he is walking around a grocery store.  Of course news like that gets in the paper.

Somewhere else in America, David’s son wants his parents to see the words on the tree outside.  David touches the words, is jolted, and when he reaches over to touch his wife, suddenly her failing eyesight is restored.

Jay tries to hide his healing powers.  David wants to make money from his.  Jay wants to help others, especially his deaf girlfriend.  David is willing to loose his wife and son in order to gain fame and fortune.  Throughout the book, the two are contrasted.  Neither are particularly faithful Christians, if they can be called Christian at all.

A man hears of a healer, he decides to investigate.  He is something of a mental case, and is sure God wants him to kill the False Preacher Fake Healer.  He bides his time, he is confused by the two names, but there couldn’t possibly be TWO?  Could there?

What did I like?  I enjoyed the constant comparing, contrasting of the two men and their reactions to this seeming random gift of healing.  One timid and wanting to help everyone that he could, but secretly.  And the other loud and pushy and pulling in crowds.

I also liked Ace, Patty, and the country preacher.  The country preacher came the closest to Christian character of anyone else in the book.  I loved the way they helped and advised the young couple looking for answers and help for their ailing car.   I also liked David’s wife and son, as they refused to be a part of the exploitation of “the healing touch”.

What I didn’t care for?  The language, it used God’s name far too often.  I didn’t like the “christen maniac” man, Conner, for me, he pretty much ruined the story.  David was a jerk, as was the man who was helping him.  I can’t think of a single part of the book that Conner was that I liked at all.  The beginning  ... what gives with the butterflies?  Nor did I care for the ending.  Jay seemed to compromise himself.  And I’m not a fan of sensational or vague abrupt endings.

Not everyone will love every book, I know that.  There are many out there who will get a thrill from the faith healers and not be thrown off by the language.  But this was not a book for me.  Parts of it were good enough to pull me along to the end, mostly because I wanted to see how Jay resolved his dilemma, for I didn’t care much for any of the other main characters, and skimmed over many sections trying to avoid the language.



Note:   This topic would be confusing and dull to most youngsters, and would probably not appeal to anyone under 13.  Some parts of the book are quite crass and violent.

Genre/Theme: Suspense / Adventure, Current Time, Healing Preachers

Reading Level: Mature TEEN - high school to college
Profanity: MODERATE/HIGH – lots of mild words & quite a few stronger expletives  --  some characters have very clean language, and others have very bad language.
Sexuality: MILD - descriptions of affection/desire  -  One preacher is married, and his wife leaves him.  The other healer is touring the countryside with his girlfriend, and it is obvious that they are sleeping together.
Other: One person shot and killed, one man is determined to kill the false preacher.